The Andrews Labor Government is preparing students across Victoria to be cyber ready through the state’s Victorian Cyber Schools Skills Challenge, which kicked off this month.
The challenge is the first of its kind in Australia and will connect students with some the country’s leading cyber professionals through an online platform where they will develop solutions to real-life cyber problems.
Globally, the cyber security industry is worth $71 billion a year and demand for cyber security jobs is growing at an unprecedented pace both in Victoria and across the globe.
The Cyber Schools Skills Challenge is part of the state’s Cyber Victoria Program (CVP) and encourages students to start considering cyber security professions as career choices.
The CVP will be delivered by LifeJourney, the company credited with driving the Cyber Maryland program in the USA, which has seen Maryland become a world leading cyber security hub. Optus has partnered with LifeJourney to deliver the program.
The CVP will strengthen Victoria’s talent pool and ensure the state’s cyber professionals have the skills they need to protect Victorian businesses from cyber attacks.
Victoria produces 37 per cent of Australia’s digital tech graduates, compared to 28 per cent in NSW and 19 per cent in Queensland, making the state well placed to deliver the next generation of digital tech professionals.
Victoria is Australia’s digital technology leader with the sector generating approximately $35 billion in revenue each year and employing around 160,000 people.
The Victorian Cyber School Skills Challenge will run through to 17 November and is open to all secondary schools, TAFE students and teachers. Sign up for free at .
Quotes attributable to acting Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Wade Noonan
“We’re making sure Victorian kids are cyber ready for the jobs of the future.”
“With demand for cyber skills growing rapidly across the world, Victoria is in a position to create more jobs and add to our 160,000 strong digital tech workforce.”
“We’re growing our strong digital technology workforce to ensure Victorian businesses have the skills they need to stay globally competitive.”
Quotes attributable to LifeJourney, CEO, Rick Geritz
“With over one million open and unfilled cyber jobs worldwide, Victoria’s leadership in bringing these career awareness opportunities to students and their teachers should be applauded.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020